Do you require your partner to be of a similar intelligence to you?

Question

If there is a big difference, can a relationship still work, or do you have to be 'on the same level', as it were?

Answer 1

Miss Becki, Sweety we are all gifted in our own areas. Same for intelligence. But I do see your point. Having a compassionet and loving heart supercedes everything else though!

Answer 2

Yes the closer the better and there are certainly different levels of intelligence.

Some people lack general common sense yet they can be extremely book smart and/or know a lot of trivia.

Some people can have "some intelligence" "some book smarts" and "some common sense" but still can lack very important relationship skills.

I believe "true" intelligence is a combination of them all.

I have a high IQ and I prefer my partner to have the same along with common sense, relationship skills and morals.

A relationship however can succeed even if someone does not have a high IQ but has common sense, good relationship skills and morals.

So in a nutshell someone can be somewhat intelligent or even extremely intelligent yet if they lack common sense, relationship skills and morals the relationship will inevitably fail.

Answer 3

When you put love to work in earnest, intelligence is only one part of any relationship. Regardless of the equality we strive for when choosing a partner, we can certainly take whatever we have to work with and improve it through mutual stimulation, help and encouragement. Intelligence varies from person to person and fluctuates depending on the individual. At times even the most intelligent being has moments of complete stupidity and or ignorance so don't base the bulk of your relationship on compatibility intelligence!

Answer 4

You need to be close enough that you don't get bored with each other and enjoy activities together at the same level. But that can cover a wide range because a lot of things make up "intelligence" including common sense and life experience and general maturity.

Answer 5

It really depends. Relationship is one thing that is hard to make work, and there are many factors that can become problem. You just point one of them, but equally important are social class, religion, flexibility level, education level, etc, etc. Intelligence level does not have to be equal (in fact if it's too equal then it may spark competitiveness?) but surely a genius who stick with an imbecile is looking for problem. Just my two cents.

Answer 6

Preferably somewhere near the same level. I can't stand being in a relationship where my partner is completely dense, or has nothing mature to talk about. If he isn't intellegent, we tend to have nothing in common. I like my significant other to be of similiar intelligence, but to each their own, right?

Answer 7

Yes, I think so. I really enjoy being able to have a great conversation with a girl - so intelligence is important to me. Doesn't mean it couldn't work for someone else. It probably just really depends on the couple.

Answer 8

I think you need to be on the same level or at least very close to the same level. Otherwise it gets annoying and conversations get boring.

Answer 9

For a long term relationship ... I would prefer someone to be of comparable intelligence so we could have good conversations and talk or debate about things.

For a one-night stand or short-term relationship... gawd, the stupider the better!! (*laughing*) ... she should be smart enough to get herself home ... but dumb enough to think that having sex with me is a good idea! (*laughing*)

Answer 10

I think you should be on the same level or the man should be smarter. I think women should be able to look to their man for answers (they are suppose to be the leader of the household) and that's impossible if you have to teach him everything.